Do you prefer full-size or travel-size for mascara?

Travel-size seems to start out drier for some formulas, which can be nice as I have found there are a fair number of formulas that always seem too wet when initially opened. Travel-size is also ideal if you’re not someone who wears mascara often enough to finish a tube within a few months.

— Christine

24 Comments

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Aditi Avatar

Definitely travel size! I never finish mascara within the recommended 3 months. I am glad more brands are making minis available. Haven’t bought a full size in years.

Mariella Avatar

I guess because I use mascara infrequently, minis and travel/trial sizes work really well for me. I just got a GWP sized “new to me” mascara that I’m loving but having read reviews on the company’s site (I think that’s where I read them) someone who loved her sample sized tube was really disappointed when she purchased the full size…different brush, etc.

Ana Maria Avatar

When it comes to mascara is travel size for me. In the past years, if I had a full sized mascara, it was some sort of gift with purchase or birthday.
I only use one mascara at a time, throw it away after 3 months, and both full size and travel sizes lasts me the same. And truth be told, in the last years I rarely had to purchase mascaras. I either get them as a complimentary gift from MAC, or from Sephora as an offer or point perk. And it’s not I’m even skimping on quality, I usually get travel / sample sizes of my favorite mascaras.

Nancy T Avatar

For my HG waterproof drugstore mascaras, I like the full-size version because they aren’t pricey. So even if I don’t get to use them up, I’m okay with that.
Now when it comes to more pricey formulas, I do sometimes prefer the smaller size. Like you mentioned, they are less wet. Very good for my stick straight lashes that need to be curled before applying mascara. A bit dryer insures that my lashes don’t “fall”. Also, there’s the wanting to use it all up if it’s a more expensive mascara. A mini will get all its mileage for the buck.

xamyx Avatar

Even as someone who applies a very generous amount of mascara at least 5 days a week, I still can’t figure out how anyone gets through a mini within 3 months… I still end up with more than enough “usable” product to get me through another couple of months, at least…

Andrea Avatar

Mascara is a part of my “war mask”! I wear it daily so I prefer a full-sized one. I don’t think a pint-sized one would last long!
Travel mascara is too small. For travelling it would be fine, but for putting it on every single day for weeks on end… It really wouldn’t last long so it wouldn’t be worth it in terms of $$. Where I am right now travel-sized makeup is pricey so it’s a fine balance between size, price, how long I expect it to last, expiry date, and how many similar things are available in the market & that I would like to try instead.

Andrea Avatar

I should have mentioned I use one from Maybelline! It’s the one I keep coming back to and it’s super cheap so paying more for sth smaller seems a bit silly to me when this one works.

Nina Avatar

I love tiny mascaras. I just feel more in control applying than a big wand. I don’t like mascara with plastic bristles. I prefer fluffy natural. The old Bad Gal 💕

brendacr1 Avatar

I do prefer the travel size mascaras if they are available. I’ve had to throw away quite a few mascaras since the pandemic started because I’m not wearing make up very much and they are drying up and not performing very well even if I try to add eye drops to them to add some moisture.

Maider Avatar

Travel size for sure! I never manage to finish a mascara so I don’t feel guilty when every 3 months I change my mascara when it is a travel size.

Lydia Avatar

I like to use the travel size when I get one, but I always buy drugstore mascara. Like another commenter said, I’d likely be paying more for a travel size of a high end mascara than I pay for a drugstore full size! And there’s always that deep-seated impulse against buying something so small when it’s likely cheaper by volume to buy the big one…

Jane Avatar

Both, really can’t choose one versus the other. I appreciate travel size for just that, pocket, purse and travel kits. But I mostly use full-size mascara at home and prefer that size to hand. It seems more balanced in my hand.

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